Argentinian political storm: Milei moves to strip Kirchner's pension

Last year, hyperinflation-stricken Argentina elected the anarcho-capitalist Javier Milei as president. The controversial politician made a name for himself before the election as a staunch opponent of the leftist Peronist movement, represented by Cristina Kirchner.

During his campaign, Milei promised to fight the privileged political class, which he referred to as the "caste". He accuses the Peronist governments of causing the severe economic crisis that Argentina is currently facing.

On Wednesday, the court of cassation upheld Kirchner's six-year prison sentence and lifetime ban from public office for siphoning off the equivalent of millions of dollars from state funds through public works projects during her presidency.

"By order of President Javier Milei (...) it was decided to revoke the benefits that former President Cristina Kirchner received both as a personal benefit and from the pension due to the late President Néstor Kirchner," announced Adorni, estimating that the state will save nearly 22 million pesos (around £17,000) monthly from this.

However, experts cited by the newspaper La Nacion emphasise that the law does not provide for the possibility of revoking a former head of state's pension, even if convicted of corruption. At present, it is unclear how Milei's government intends to halt this benefit.

The verdict against the former President of Argentina is not final, and Kirchner may appeal to the Supreme Court.

Cristina Kirchner governed Argentina from 2007 to 2015. Previously, as the wife of the late President Néstor Kirchner, who died in 2010, she was the country's first lady. From 2019 to 2023, she served as the country's Vice President.